Sign



J. J. DARBY March 18, 1930.

Filed June 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. J. DARBY March 18, 1930.

SIGN

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed, June 28, 1929 W W i Patented Mar. 18, 1930 can STATES PATENT or'rice JOHN J'. DARBY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SIGN Application filed June 28, 1929. Serial No. 374,443.

ing and arranged so that its reflecting surface is visible through front'opening in the casing. The reflecting surface is inclined at an angle of approximately 45 so as to be exposed through the top of the casing to sunlight rays. Disposed in the path of the rays is a stencil means formed with suitable indicia which, by means of the rays, are reflected on the mirror so as to be visible through the front opening in the casing. The stencil means is preferably disposed in the path of the rays before they strike the mirror, although it will be understood that other positions which are adopted in the art may be utilized. a

The present inventionrelates to improvements in this general type of sign, and has as its object the provision of means which will produce a flashing effect of the indicia in the mirror, thereby rendering the indicia more conspicuous. invention is to provide a flashing effect in a sign of this type by means which will render the sign little, if any, more expensive than signs now in use; also to provide the flashing effect by movable means, the movement of which is practically unnoticeable by one observing the flashing inthe mirror; also to arrange the means which produces the flashing effect in such a way that when its movement is discontinued, the same will automatically move to a position which will permit display of the stencil indicia in the mirror; also to provide an operating device for the means which produces the flashing effect of a type which will proportion the intervals between the flashes or displays to the speed of movement of a vehicle by which the sign is carried.

Signs of the daylight type are old and wellknown in the art, and are ordinarily characterized by steady and continuous display of indicia of a stencil means. Thepresent invention contemplates the provision of means which is adapted toproduce in the visible reflecting surface of the mirror a flashing eflect of the stencil indicia, This A further object of the is accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the rays of sunlight may be prevented from passing through the stencil means to the mirror, either by intermittently closing the light path through the casing so that the rays may not reach the mirror, or by intermittently removing the stencil from the path of the light rays. Or it may be accomplished by moving the mirror; for instance, by giving the mirror a slight oscillatory movement so as to vary the angle of in-' cidence of the light rays with the reflecting surface. Such a means will maintain the visibility of the mirror, while at the same time causing reflection of the stencil indicia at such an angle that they may not be observed through the sight opening of the casing or by one stationed at a'normal or usual point of observation. This form of device may involve the use of theusual plane type of mirror, or of a rotatable or oscillatory mirror element having a plurality of reflecting surfaces which are'successively disposed at the proper angle to provide visibly reflected indicia.

In all of these various forms, it is desired to providemeans which will insure a continuous display of the indicia by the sign when the movement of the means which produces the flashing effect is stopped. This is accomplished in that form of device which prevents the light rays from passing through the stencil means to the mirror, either by counterweighting the movable shutter element so that it will automatically move to the desired position when stopped, or by providing an operating mechanism such as that commonly used'for operating vehlcle wlndshield wipers and which will automatically return the shutter to the proper one of its two extreme positions; v The same means may be used in that form of device which involves operation of the mirror; that is to say, the mirror may be moved to its normal or visibly reflecting position either by counterweight or other movable means, such as a windshieldwiper operating mechanism of the type mentioned.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, as well as the features of constructhe passage of the sunlig tion above generally described, will become apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein there are disclosed certain preferred embodiments.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 3 but of a modified form.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of an- 0 other modified form.

- Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail face view of a modified shutter construction carrying the stencil means and adapted to be used in lieu of the shutter employed in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a. vertical sectional view of another modification.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, 10 indicates a casing which may be formed of metal or other suitable material, and is provided with a front opening 11 through which may be observed the reflectin surface 12 of a mirror 13 having the usual backing 14. The mirror reflecting surface is disposed at a suitable angle, such as so that there may pass thereto through the open top 14 of the casing, sunlight rays. The top 14 may, if desired, be closed by a transparent element such as a glass plate, to protect the interior parts. Operatively associated with the mirror so as to be exhibited by the same, is a stencil or other medium for carrying the matter to be exhibited. This medium should be disposed so as to be exhibited when light is imposed upon the mirror. A stencil means 16 is supported,

for example, by inturned flanges 1'? formed on the case. The stencil means may be an opaque sheet having cutout portions forming t is indicia to be displayed, the remainder being opaque and of color, such as black, which will not reflect in the mirror. On the stencil mean smay be a translucent sheet bearing the desired advertising or other matter to be di rected onto and reflected from the mirror.

The stencil means is disposed between two plates 19, 20; these may be of glass or other translucent material, which will not prevent I it rays to the mirror reflecting surface. As will be understood, the light rays passing through the stenmmeans 16 will form on the mirror reflecting surface 12, the indicia carried the stencil. Tl se ndicia will be reflected so to be vii. through the opening 11.

For the purpose of providing a flashing effeet on the reflecting surface, any suitable means may be provided. For instance, in the form shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the means is a shutter element, having circular end portions 22 formed with trunnions 24, 24 extended into the case. These circular end portions are connected by spaced shutter walls 26 each of arcuate form and having straight lining walls 26 which form chords of the are defined by the walls 26. As will be understood, light rays may pass in planes paralleL ing the walls 26 through the shutter, but as the same is rotated or oscillated the arcuate walls 26 will intermittently cover the opening 15 and prevent passage of the light rays tl'irough the stencil to the mirror. Due to the form of the shutter in relation to the light opening 38, it will be observed that, when the shutter is moved to light passing or transmitting position (Figure ,no portion thereof will form a visible image in the mirror. It is highly desirable to provide a shutter of this formation or of other character which will not provide such an image so that the indicia reflected will not be blurred.

The shutter may be rotated by any appropriate means, and for purposes of illustration, I have shown a wind operable vane 29 fixedly mounted upon a horizontal shaft 30 which carries a beveled gear 31, meshing with a very much larger beveled gear 32 fixed on the trunnion 24. If the sign is mormted upon a vehicle the movement of the latter will rotate the vane 29 which should, of course, face forwardly. Or if mounted upon a stationary object, the vane may be actuated by air current created by any suitable means, such as an electric fan.

Aswill be noted from Figures 2 and 3, the annular end portions 22 carry on their flanges 22 counterweights 33 which will serve to move the shutter to the position illustrated in Figure 3 with the inner walls 26 vertically disposed to permit passage of the light to the mirror whenever the rotation of the fan is stopped. The bevel gears permit this counterweight means to act in this manner, although obviously other means than a counterweight might be utilized to cause the shutter to assume automatically light passing position when the operation of the shutter is stopped.

Rotation of the end vane 29 will impart a relatively slow rotation to the shutter, but of course the speed of the shutter may he regulated as desired by varying the speed of the vane.- VVhen applied to a vehicle it will be understood that the speed of the vane will be proportioned to the speed of the veh' and this will, of course, determine the intervals between the flashes of the indicia in the mirror. In other words, these intervals are proportioned in frequency and in duration to the speed of the vehicle.

Referring to Figure 4, the construction there shown is substantially the same that illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, exceptthat the stencil means 37 may consist of one or more elements carried by the shutter. For this purpose the shutter is provided with longitudinally extending grooves 38 into which the stencils may be removably fitted, as by withdrawing the shutter from the easing. Each cap, only one of which is shown in Figure 4, is provided with a counterweight 33 and it is to be understood that when the shutter is rotated fromthe position shown in Figure 4, the walls 26 will serve to close the openings 15', 39, through which light rays are adapted to pass tothe mirror.

Obviously, the shutter mechanism of both forms described may, if desired, be oper ated by an oscillating rather than a rotating mechanism, since it is not necessary to impart to the shutter a complete rotation. Any suitable mechanism for accomplishing this purpose may be provided, such as, for instance, the usual mechanism provided on vehicles for actuating Windshield Wipers and preferably of the commonly used type which will automatically return the shutter, which corresponds to the usual Wiper, to an open or closed position as may be desired, when operative movement is discontinued.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is here shown another form ofdevi'ce comprising a casing 40 having the mirror 4l suitably disposed at an angle so that its reflecting surface 42 is exposed tolight rays which enter the casing through the translucent top 43. Stencil means 44 of the character described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, maybe arranged between translucent plates 45 and 46 removably supported upon inwardly projecting flanges 47. The stencil indicia formed on the reflecting surface of the mirror may be observed through the sight opening 48. In order to produce the flashing efl'ect, means, such as the shutter 49, may be fixed upon an oscillating shaft 50 pivoted in the casing end walls 40, one end of the shaft being extended through the end wall to receive a suitable operating mechanism 51. This operating mechanism maybe of any form adapted to move the shutter 49 to and from its full line position illustrated in Figure 5, its other eX- treme position illustrated in dotted lines. For example, the commonly used type of mechanism employed for actuating vehicle windshield wipers may be employed, the same being connected by a line 50 to the vehicle engine or other source of suction. Of course, a mechanism of the electrical type, or an electric motor may be used.' In this form of device, as in the form of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, it is to be observed that, when the shutter is moved to the inoperative dotted line position (Figure in which it passes light, the shutter willnot form in the mirror a visible image. Such a; construction is desirable because if the shutter itself formed a visible image in the mirror, it would blur the indicia exhibit.

p In this type of device, as in the other forms, I prefer to utilize means which will automatically carry the shutter to one of its two extreme positions when its movement has stopped. In the form being described, itis, of course, desired that the shutter shall move to its dotted line position when its operation is interrupted for any considerable period.

This may be accomplished-by employing the commonly used type of windshield wiper mechanism or in any other way, such as by a spring connection with the shutter, which it is unecessary to illustrate. In this form of device there is also provided a downwardly extending wall 53 which will serve to conceal the edge 54 of the shutter, and thus render comparatively inconspicuous or unobservable the movement of the shutter as the flashes of the indicia are-observed in the mirror.

In Figure 7 there is shown a modified shutter construction comprising a frame element 56 carrying the stencil 57. This shutter may be used instead of the shutter 49 illustrated in Figure 4, and, of course, when used, the

stencil 44 will be dispensed with. This form of device corresponds broadly to the form illustrated in Figure 3, and obviously when it is used, it should have associated therewith means which will automatically move the .7 I

stencil carrying shutter to a'position to permit light passing therethrough to, the mirror whenever its oscillating movement is stopped. Such means may take the form of the commonlyused windshield wiper actuating mechanism described in connection with Figure 5; or a spring device may be employed.

Referring to Figure 8, the devices shown in this figure involve the principle of moving the mirror so as to prevent visible reflection of .the stencil indicia i. e. reflection visible through sight opening or from normal points of observation, such as points'below or on a line with the. sign. In this form, it is to be observed that this visible reflection is accom plished without disturbing the visibility of the mirror, as would take place if a curtain were moved over the side opening. The same principle underlies the forms previously described,

The casing 53 is provided with the sight opening 54 and carries between the glass plates 55, 56 which are su ported upon inwardly projecting flanges 5 ,a stencil means 58'. jLight may pass through the top 59 of the casing and the stencil means to the mirror and the indicia of the stencil will be reflected in the mirror and will be visible through the opqening 54. The mirror is of a character w ich may be movedto vary the angle of in cidence of the light rays therewith and thus terminate the visibility of the reflected indicia. For this purpose the mirror may have several reflecting surfaces 60, angularly related and adapted, as the mirror device is oscillates the mirror device.

rotated, to be brought into proper position beneath the stencil so as to reflect the indicia in such a way. as to be visible through the opening 54. These various mirrors may be mounted upon a shaft 61 extending lengthwise of the casing and supported in its end walls 62, only one of the walls being shown. At each end the mirrors are carried by a spider element 63 rotated from a central hub portion '64, the spider arms at their outer ends directly supporting the mirrors. In order to insure the proper positioning of at least one of the several mirrors for visible reflection of the indicia whenever rotation or oscillation of. the device is discontinued,a counterweight 65 may be positioned interiorly of the mirrors. Obviously, this counterweight may take a variety of forms. Of course, instead of providing a counterweight, an operating mechanism such as the windshield wiper operating mechanism described in connection with Figures 5 and '6 may be employed, the mechanism being of a type which will automatically move the mirrors to and from visible reflection position when it lhis position may be determined when connectingup the operating mechanism with the mirror so as to insure the precise positioning of the mirror support for reflecting the stencil indicia whenever movement of the mirrors is stopped. v

It is to be understood, of course, that the invention may be embodied in numerous other forms, and that a number of forms have been described in detail-merely for the purpose of making clear the essential features of the invention, which are more definitely set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, stencil means disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror, said stencil means being arranged to be visibly reflected by the mirror, and means movable for intermittently preventing and permitting passage of the light rays through the stencil means to the mirror without interrupting the visibility of the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, saidlas'tmentioned means when moved to light passing position being disposed so as not to pro- 1 duce a visible lmage in the mirror.

2. A sign comprising a mirror havingia re-' fleeting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sun light rays, stencil means disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror, said stencil means belng arranged to be visibly reflected'by the mirror, and means movable for intermittently pre-v venting and permitting passage of: the light rays to the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing eflect of the stencil indicia therein, said last-mentioned means when moved to light passing position'being disposed so as not to produce a visible image in the mirror.

3. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, stencil means interposed in the path of the light rays to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, means movable for intermittently preventing visible reflection of the stencil means by said mirror so as to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, and means for actuating and for causing said last mentioned movable means automatically to asume a position permitting reflection of the stencil indicia upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

4. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, stencil means interposed in the path of the light rays to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, means movable for intermittently preventing visible reflection of the stencil means by said mirror without interrupting the visibility of the mirror so as to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, and means for actuating and for causing said last mentioned movable means automatically to assume a position permitting reflection of the stencil indicia upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

5. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, stencil means disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror, said stencil means being arranged to be visibly reflected by the mirror, means movable for intermittently preventing and permitting passage of the light rays through the stencil means to the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, and means adapted to actuate and to automatically cause said last mentioned means to assume a position'permitting reflection of the stencil indicia upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

6. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections,'said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, stencil means disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, means movable for intermittently permitting and preventing passage'of the light rays to the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing eflect of the stencil indicia therein, and means adapted to actuate and to automatically cause said last mentioned means to assume a position permitting reflection of thestencilindicia upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

7 A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, a stencil disposed for reflection by the light rays in themirror, and arranged to be visibly reflected by the mirror, and a shutter movable for intermittently preventing and permitting visible reflection of the stencil means by said mirror without interrupting the visibility of the mirror so as to produoe a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, said shutter when moved to light passing position being disposed so as not to produce a visible image in the mirror.

8. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, a stencil disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, and a shutter movable for intermittently permitting and preventing passage of the light rays through the stencil means to the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, said shutter when moved to light passing position being disposed so as not to produce a visible image in the mirror.

9. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, a stencil disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, and a shutter movable for intermittently permitting and preventing passage of the light rays to the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, said shutter when moved to light passing position being disposed so as not to produce a visible image in the mirror. 10. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, a stencil interposed in the path of the light rays to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, a shutter movable for intermittently preventing and permitting visible reflection of the stencil means by said mirror so as to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, and means for actuating and causing said shutter automatically to assume a position permitting reflection of the stencil indicia upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

11. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, 2, stencil disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, a shutter movable for intermittently permitting and preventing passage of the light rays through the stencil means to the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing eflect of the stencil indicia therein, and means adapted to actuate and to automatically cause said shutter toassume a position permitting reflection of thestencil indicia upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

12. A signecomprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to providevisible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, a stencil shutter disposed for the passage of light rays therethrough as they pass to the mirror and adapted to be visibly reflected by the mirror, a shutter movable for intermittently permitting and preventing passage of the light rays to the mirror, whereby to actuate and to produce a flashing effect of the stencil indicia therein, and means adapted to automaticallycause said shutter to assume a position permitting reflection of the stencil indicia upon its continuance of its operative movement.

13. A device of the character described comprising a housing having a display opening formed therein, an inclined mirror disposed rearwardly of the opening, a stencil plate supported by the housing above the mirror, and a wind driven rotatable shutter cooperating with the stencil plate and adapted to intermittently interrupt the projection of light rays from the sun through the stencil plate against the mirror, said shutter when moved to light passing position being disposed so as not to produce a visible image in the mirror.

14. A device of the character described comprising a housing having a display opening formed therein, an inclined mirror disposed rearwardly of the openingv a stencil plate supported by the housing above the mirror, a shutter cooperating with the sten- C11 plate and adapted to intermittently interrupt the projection of light rays through the Y stencil plate against the mirror, and means whereby movement is imparted to the shutter, said shutter when moved to light passing position being disposed so as not to' produce a Visible image in the mirror.

' 15. A device of the character described comprising a housing having a display opening formed therein, an inclined mirror disposed rearwardly of the opening, a stencil plate supported by the housing above the mirror, a secondary housing surrounding the stencil plate, the upper end ofthe secondary housing being open to admit light rays, a shutter mounted in the open end of said secondary housing and extending substantially from end to end thereof, and means for opening and closing the shutter, said shutter when moved to light passing position being disposed so as not to produce a visible image in the mirror. I a

16. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible light reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, stencil means associated with said mirror and disposed for exhibition upon light reflection by said mirror, and means movable for intermittently permitting and preventing light from striking the mirror, whereby to produce a flashing effect by the mirror and a flashing exhibition of said stencil means, and means for causing said last-mentioned means to automatically assume a position permitting light reflection by the mirror upon discontinuance of the operative movement of said movable means.

17. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible light reflections, said surface being exposed to light rays, stencil means associated with said mirror and disposed for exhibition upon, light reflection by said mirror, and means movable for intermittently permitting and preventing light from striking the mirror while maintaining the light, whereby to produce a flashing effect by the mirror and a flashing exhibition. of said stencil means, and means for causing said last-mentioned means to automatically assume a position permitting light reflection by the mirror upon discontinuance of the operative movement of said movable means.

18. A sign comprising a, mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible light reflections, said surface being exposed tosunlight rays, a shutter disposed adjacent said mirror and adapted to be positioned alternately in the path of and out of the path of the light rays and a stencil movable with said shutter adapted to be carried into and out of the path of the light rays whereby the same is alternately reflected and not reflected in said mirror, said shutter being formed soas to exclude light rays from the mirror when the stencil is not exhibited therein, and means for actuating said shutter.

19. A sign comprising a mirror having a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible light reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, a shutter disposed adjacent said mirror and adapted to be positioned alternately in the path of and out of the path of the light rays and a stencil movable with said shutter adapted to be carried into and out of the path of the light rays whereby the same is alternately reflected and not reflected in said mirror, said shutter being formed so as toexclude light rays from the mirror when the stencil is not exhibited therein, and means for actuating said shutter and for automatically causing the shutter to assume light passing and stencil exhibiting position upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

20. A sign comprising a mirror havin a reflecting surface adapted to provide visible reflections, said surface being exposed to sunlight rays, means movable to be positioned al-v ternately in and out of the path of the light rays to said mirror, stencil means carried'by said first mentioned means whereby to be alternately exhibited and not exhibited in said mirror by the light rays, and means for actuating said movable means and for automatically causing said stencil to assume an exhibiting position in the path of said light rays upon discontinuance of its operative movement.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. JOHN J DARBY llO 

